Afghan President Ashraf Ghani delivers his opening address in Kabul on April 29, 2019. (Photo: AP)

The four-day consultative grand assembly is an attempt by President Ashraf Ghani to influence peace talks between the US and the Taliban, which the Taliban have excluded his government from. The on-going event is billed as the largest in modern Afghan history.

In his opening address, President Ghani said Afghanistan wants peace to boost its economy and reduce dependence from foreign aid.

The grand assembly takes place as the US and the Taliban are negotiating the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in exchange for a comprehensive ceasefire and other commitments from the Taliban.